Maybe another party is the way to go

Published: Friday, April 19, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 12:04 p.m.

In Sunday’s paper, listed under general employment, was an ad for a farmer needing 80 temporary berry pickers, paying $9.48 an hour minimum, lots better than fast-food restaurants pay.

Not that many years ago, most of the beans that got picked and hay that got picked up was done by high school kids in the afternoons and Saturdays and during summer break. Next, Mexicans took over the jobs.

But since the recent hysteria about those who are here illegally taking away jobs from local Americans, the farmers are having a tough time getting the crop in.

You know those folks who hang out on the side of the road carrying the cardboard signs saying, “Will work for food”? I wonder how many of them will be hurrying over to that farm. Or any one else.

Not many, I bet.

A few weeks ago, a bunch of high school kids were denied entry to the White House. Seems the sequester forced the Secret Service to cut back on its budget, and of course kids wanting to tour the White House were the first to take the hit. I was astounded to read that security costs $18,000 per visit.

I am all for saving money, so maybe the White House janitor could take a Sharpie and some poster board and make a sign that says, “No Firearms Allowed On These Premises.” After all, according to the National Democratic Party, that’s enough security for the schools that these kids go to every day.

I talked to a Mom whose sons are shooting archery in our 4-H club today. They have been scrimping and saving money since last year to afford a bow for the oldest boy. It is a birthday present. They could have just slapped the credit card down on the counter last year and worried about how to pay it off later, but that wasn’t a smart way to run their finances.

Personally, I think she should be the next federal budget director.

Last Sunday’s paper again, on the front page: The president wants a $508 billion tax increase. Ouch. That’s a big hunk of money. Personally, I’m all for tax increases as long as I don’t have to pay them. Oh right, most of my customers have a lot more money than I do — that’s why they are my customers. I guess they won’t have as much money to spend buying stuff from guys like me anymore, and here I am required to go out and buy comprehensive health care insurance next year.

Then there’s fiscal responsibility versus compassion for the less fortunate. That is the political debate in our nation today. The reality of it is the DNC panders to the lower income, the less fortunate and the ones who wouldn’t work if a job paid $9,998 per hour — plus all the global warming, Hollywood and PETA people.

The Republicans pander to the old white guys who spend their days sitting on dump-truck loads of money, slapping at everyone trying to snatch a handful out from under them.

There are a bunch of other folks who support one party over the other for ideological purposes, free of self-interest and for the purest sociological reasons (people like you and me), but the aforementioned are the mainstay of how the political platforms get laid. The rest of us just pick a ride and jump on, hoping we’ll get taken in the general direction we want to go.

I have considered Times-News columnists Mike Tower and LeRoy Goldman’s proposals on changing our current political situation. While I do not think any true democracy will ever be free of partisanship fueled by self-interest combined with money, I do think a viable third and maybe fourth party system would go a long way toward fiscal restraint combined with decency toward those who don’t have deep pockets or a political sugar daddy.

I myself would join a Christian conservative party that embraces protected trade on low-skilled manufacturing jobs and a low corporate tax rate.

All aliens would become welcome as long as they pay U.S. income and Social Security taxes, and then they could become citizens or go home after 10 years. Deadbeat dads would be liable for deportation to Yemen after missing monthly child support without a viable reason. And the Feds would have to have a balanced budget amendment, and all discretionary spending (pork, not defense, Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid) must be paid for by a direct tax voted by three-fifths majority of each house.

You got a political party you want to start? Drop me a line about your idea and I’ll print it.

<p>In Sunday's paper, listed under general employment, was an ad for a farmer needing 80 temporary berry pickers, paying $9.48 an hour minimum, lots better than fast-food restaurants pay.</p><p>Not that many years ago, most of the beans that got picked and hay that got picked up was done by high school kids in the afternoons and Saturdays and during summer break. Next, Mexicans took over the jobs.</p><p>But since the recent hysteria about those who are here illegally taking away jobs from local Americans, the farmers are having a tough time getting the crop in.</p><p>You know those folks who hang out on the side of the road carrying the cardboard signs saying, “Will work for food”? I wonder how many of them will be hurrying over to that farm. Or any one else.</p><p>Not many, I bet.</p><p>A few weeks ago, a bunch of high school kids were denied entry to the White House. Seems the sequester forced the Secret Service to cut back on its budget, and of course kids wanting to tour the White House were the first to take the hit. I was astounded to read that security costs $18,000 per visit.</p><p>I am all for saving money, so maybe the White House janitor could take a Sharpie and some poster board and make a sign that says, “No Firearms Allowed On These Premises.” After all, according to the National Democratic Party, that's enough security for the schools that these kids go to every day.</p><p>I talked to a Mom whose sons are shooting archery in our 4-H club today. They have been scrimping and saving money since last year to afford a bow for the oldest boy. It is a birthday present. They could have just slapped the credit card down on the counter last year and worried about how to pay it off later, but that wasn't a smart way to run their finances.</p><p>Personally, I think she should be the next federal budget director.</p><p>Last Sunday's paper again, on the front page: The president wants a $508 billion tax increase. Ouch. That's a big hunk of money. Personally, I'm all for tax increases as long as I don't have to pay them. Oh right, most of my customers have a lot more money than I do — that's why they are my customers. I guess they won't have as much money to spend buying stuff from guys like me anymore, and here I am required to go out and buy comprehensive health care insurance next year.</p><p>Then there's fiscal responsibility versus compassion for the less fortunate. That is the political debate in our nation today. The reality of it is the DNC panders to the lower income, the less fortunate and the ones who wouldn't work if a job paid $9,998 per hour — plus all the global warming, Hollywood and PETA people.</p><p>The Republicans pander to the old white guys who spend their days sitting on dump-truck loads of money, slapping at everyone trying to snatch a handful out from under them.</p><p>There are a bunch of other folks who support one party over the other for ideological purposes, free of self-interest and for the purest sociological reasons (people like you and me), but the aforementioned are the mainstay of how the political platforms get laid. The rest of us just pick a ride and jump on, hoping we'll get taken in the general direction we want to go.</p><p>I have considered Times-News columnists Mike Tower and LeRoy Goldman's proposals on changing our current political situation. While I do not think any true democracy will ever be free of partisanship fueled by self-interest combined with money, I do think a viable third and maybe fourth party system would go a long way toward fiscal restraint combined with decency toward those who don't have deep pockets or a political sugar daddy.</p><p>I myself would join a Christian conservative party that embraces protected trade on low-skilled manufacturing jobs and a low corporate tax rate.</p><p>All aliens would become welcome as long as they pay U.S. income and Social Security taxes, and then they could become citizens or go home after 10 years. Deadbeat dads would be liable for deportation to Yemen after missing monthly child support without a viable reason. And the Feds would have to have a balanced budget amendment, and all discretionary spending (pork, not defense, Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid) must be paid for by a direct tax voted by three-fifths majority of each house.</p><p>You got a political party you want to start? Drop me a line about your idea and I'll print it.</p>